Sectional buffing wheel



Jan. 8, 1952 w, RSHEPPARD 2,582,076

sEcTIoNAL BUFFING WHEEL Filed Oct. 7, 1949 JNVENTOR.

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Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

tical and economical bufling wheel of sectional construction wherein the number of sections can be readily increased or decreased to change the width of the wheel, wherein the sections are similar'in size and shape and have identical securing elements for securing the tufts of cotton or other material,v and wherein the sections comprise stampings, preferably of aluminum or other strong and light weight material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bufllng wheel which will consist of a plurality of sections with each section having interlocking-relation with adjacent sections. This results from a novel constructional feature characterizing the Sections, namely, the alternate bending of the securing fingers so that an equal number of fingers are disposed on both sides of each metal disc. When the discs are assembled, thesecuring fingers alternate whereby each finger with the material secured thereby is disposed between two fingers on an adjacent disc.

' Another object is to provide a sectional bufiing wheel wherein the sections comprise disc-like stampings having fingers and which are bent for securing a plurality of cotton or other material comprising the buffer. The fingers alternate on respective sides of each disc-like stamping so that the fingers of one stamping interlock with the fingers of an adjacent stamping when assembled, and by clamping the assembled sections in an axial direction a unitary bufiing wheel is produced wherein the sections are interlocked by the axial pressure and which is applied to all sections equally.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts Figure 1 is an elevational view of a bufiing wheel embodying the improved structural features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the boiling wheel of the invention;

wheel of the-invention with parts broken awayto illustratethe detailsof the improvement;

Figure 4 is an elevational view ofa metal stamping from which the sections are formedaccording to the invention;

Figure 5. is an elevational view'of the stamping of Figure 4 showing the alternate. arrangement of the:bent fingers on therespectivesideszof. thedisc; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a finger of a disc'in bent securing relation with strands of material which form the bufiing. wheel when: combined with the strands from other-fingers.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration essentially consists of a plurality of individual sections mounted on an arbor l0 and which extends centrally throughthe sections, having aslotted head Hat one end and a threaded extension "at the opposite. end; The plurality of individual sections on thearbor l0 are. confined betweenmetal washers i3 and I4, washer [3 being retained on arbor ID by means of head ll, whereas pressure is applied to washer l4 by'the adapter l5 which isthreaded to. the projecting'end of the arbor.

. The individual sections of the present bufi'lng wheel essentially consist of a. disc "formed of aluminum or other suitable material and which is stamped to provide a plurality of fingers 20 equally spaced around the periphery thereof. The slots 2| stamped in each metal disc are substantially rectangular with parallel sides, and as a result of such slots the fingers are substantially keystone in shape and which is the preferred shape for the fingers since they contribute to the gripping and holding of the tufts 22 when interlocked upon assembly of the individual sections on the arbor. Each section is provided with a central opening 23 of a size permitting the arbor ID to pass through.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the manner in which the fingers are bent to an arcuate shape against the disc so as to retain a plurality of strands of cotton material or the like, comprising the tufts 22 and which are held by each bent finger substantially midway of the length of the strands so that they project outwardly on the respective sides of each finger. In accordance with the in vention the fingers when bent have a spiral formation and said bent fingers alternate considering both sides of a disc, thereby providing sufficient space between adjacent fingers on either side for the strands of material. Another im- Flgure 3 is an elevational view of the bufilng portant feature results from this alternate disposition of the fingers and which concerns the interlocking of each section when assembled to prevent relative rotation of the individual sections. The alternate disposition of the fingers as regards each disc makes it possible for a finger to lie between two fingers on an adjacent disc. This constructional feature has been shown in Figure 3 and in order to clearly illustrate the same only the fingers are shown, it being understood that each finger'will retain a tuft of material which in combination with other tufts comprise the buifing wheel. With the fingers of each disc in interlocked relation it will be appreciated that the wedge-shaped formation of the fingers materially increases the locking action which the fingers have with respect to the strands in contact therewith. In other words. said fingers as a result of axial pressure applied to the sections of the bufier, are in fact wedged into a firm and secure holding relation with the strands of material which they contact and this helps to lock the strands and prevents them from being pulled out during use of the buffer.

The buffer of the invention may have any width desired, depending on the number of sections combined. By screwing the adapter 15 onto the threaded projection I! of the arbor l sufilcient axial pressure is applied to the sections to hold them assembled in interlocking relation wherein the tufts 20 are securely locked so that they do not come loose and pull out during operation of the buffing wheel. Also the interlocking of the sections prevents relative rotation of the same during operation. When it is desired to change the width of the buifing wheel or if certain sections should wear and it is desired to replace them, it is relatively easy to release the sections by releasing the adapter 15. The desired section can be replaced or additional sections can be added and by re-threading the adapter IS the buifing wheel is again ready for use.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the 'scope of the claims.

4 What is claimed is: 1. In a buifing wheel, the combination with a central shaft, of a plurality of sections of substantially similar construction mounted on the shaft and held by axial pressure applied by members at the respective ends of the shaft and between which the sections are confined, each section comprising a disc, a plurality of fingers stamped from each disc, being disposed around the periphery thereof and having a substantially keystone shape in plan, each finger when bent having a spiral formation to retain a tuft of stranded material, said bent fingers alternating on respective sides of each disc, whereby the sections interlock when assembled by each finger being disposed between two fingers on an adjacent disc, and whereby said axial pressure directed against the spirally bent fingers increases the holding pressure of the fingers in retaining its tuft of stranded material.

2. In a bufiing wheel of the character described.

vcomprising a plurality of sections of substantially REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 260,558 Fowler July 4, 1882 2,226,624 MacFarland et al. Dec. 31, 1940 2,280,399 Garling Apr. 21, 1942 2,290,236 Hall July 21, 1942 2,309,553 Twyning et al Jan. 26. 1943 2,460,588

Leslie Feb. 1, 1949 

